Deadline: 25-Aug-20
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Water Research Commission (WRC) of South Africa requests applications from local innovators developing technologies/solutions addressing South Africa’s water challenges, particularly those which have been exacerbated or introduced during the COVID 19 pandemic.
The UNDP and WRC aim to fast track the development and promote the adoption of promising innovations in the water sector through this programme.
The objective is to accelerate the rate at which they achieve progress on SDG 6, and address South Africa’s pressing water needs. This call is specifically for innovative solutions and not conventional and established technologies.
The programme will provide the following support
- Assist in evaluating the market need/problem the innovation addresses.
- Assist in assessing the innovation against competing products/solutions and ways in which communities/businesses may already be addressing the gap/problem.
- Assist in validating the prototype/proof of concept/technology demonstrator to ensure the innovation claims hold true and can positively address targeted needs. This may include laboratory testing, field testing, user testing, etc.
- Assist the innovator in accessing partners who can support the growth and scaling of the innovation.
Successful innovations will also be grouped to create a portfolio of solutions, which, when positioned at various intervention points within the system, can together address key water challenges.
Selection Criteria
- Innovations must address South Africa’s key water challenges and intervention strategy as outlined in the National Water Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Roadmap.
- Innovations must at least be at the stage of proof of concept, prototype/technology demonstrator and at pre-commercialization within the product development lifecycle.
- Innovations must address those water challenges exacerbated or introduced during the COVID 19 pandemic.
- Innovations must have been developed and produced in South Africa, preferably using local components and materials where possible.
- Applicants should demonstrate the underlying scientific principles behind the technology and provide the rationale supporting design features. This may include diagrams and photos.
- Applicants must demonstrate the level of readiness for operation, target location (rural, peri-urban and/or urban), and detail any previous demonstrations/implementations. Details such as the number of units installed, performance metrics, location, scale, partners, performance outputs, etc., must be included.
- Applicants must also indicate fabrication and implementation costs, as well as operation and maintenance requirements.
- Applicants previously supported by the WRC and/or the UNDP may be considered for this programme, depending on their needs.
- Innovators must be South African citizens.
As the programme will require considerable amount of time and engagement, innovators/developers must be available throughout the duration of the programme to participate in the various activities. Most promising applications will also be considered for funding support to assist in growing their innovation. Applications from grassroots innovators, and for innovations developed outside laboratory/technical settings are welcome.
For more information, visit https://bit.ly/328urKv